After doing substantial research, including talking extensively to a Lindblad employee who had been on this trip, we chose this "expedition" to see as much of the Belize reef as possible. However, we did much less snorkeling than expected and only some of what we saw was worthwhile. Our first day of snorkeling was cancelled due to supposedly windy conditions at the reef. Instead we were taken (no options were provided) to the Monkey River where we saw 2 monkeys up in a tree and a few birds and iguanas. Not very interesting. In the afternoon we were told to explore Placensia, a "charming" small town with a few uninteresting shops. We chose not to swim at the beach in Placensia due to the visible trash in the water. The next day we were taken to a beat up storm damaged caye for snorkeling in the morning. We were divided into groups by ability but were not allowed to stop and observe the marine life as we chose. We were forced to stay with our group and move on at the guide's direction. There were few coral or fish species at this location. In the afternoon we went to Laughing Bird Caye, which was much better (undamaged coral and fish diversity) and we were given more latitude while in the water. After a 1.5 hour bus ride the following day, we were taken to the Cockscomb Jaguar preserve. We went on a "rigorous" hike of about 2 miles and saw a waterfall. Not wildlife there other than a few birds. Our guide was excited by a few iguanas we saw on the way back. Our last day we snorkeled at the Ranguana Reef which we thoroughly enjoyed. The guides were good and we saw some interesting corals and fish. However, in the afternoon they didn't take us back out until 2:45, when of course the wind picked up. They hadn't divided our groups by ability so everyone was forced to leave due to "strong" currents. Strong swimmers (like us) were not given the option to stay. Other passengers who had been on previous NatGeo/Lindblad cruises concurred that this cruise paled in comparison to the others. Our previous experience with Uncruise was much better. The staff and crew (other than the Expedition Leader) were excellent and went out of their way to meet everyone's needs, Overall -- not enough time snorkeling and the snorkeling sites chosen could have been better. Boring land excursions. Expedition leaders/planners did not appear to be adequately focused on the goals of the passengers. Read Less

To see adult and baby whales in the Gulf of Cortez and Pacific. Saw many whales but were unfortunately not able to get close to the babies. Food was just average and repetitive/boring. Should not have had to pay extra for alcohol. Culture of wait staff was different than our prior trips which did not have an American flag. This was a Seattle based boat with essentially all American help and their culture is significantly different than the predominantly Filipino staff on our other trips. The latter are much more helpful & friendly. Also, the cabin was disappointingly quite small, though the bathroom in our bedroom seemed better than on other trips. The bed was a bit soft which caused my back to be stiff in the am. Thank G_d the naturalists were terrific, esp. the trip leader Rab and Carlos Navarro. One other thing that disappointed us was that the bridge was NOT open 24/7 which it was on our last NG trip(around Iceland). Read Less

The whale watching was amazing but we only went out 2 hours a day? We came to see whales, I expected to go out morning and afternoon. We were on a boat which was brought back 30 minutes earlier than the others. Why? There was a lot of down time. I thought we would be going out more than once a day to look at the whales. I was expecting more time out on the water. I would have liked more lectures. The few we had were short and disorganized. The food was awful. This was our first experience with Lindblad and the other passengers said this was the worst food they had ever had. We would have been better off if they had been served sandwiches. Even the scrambled eggs were cold. The staff was very nice and friendly. Especially Jonathan. He made an effort to learn everyones name and was very professional and efficient.. The ship was adequate. I wasn't expecting much, again I went to see whales. The cabins were small. We had one of the larger cabins most of the cabins had small bunks. There was a maid service daily. There was nothing to do on board. It was a long way to go and expensive. I was disappointed. Based on this experience I would be reluctant to book a future trip. Read Less

Day 1: Met at airport for charter to Puerto Barries. Overall pretty easy process. We did have issue with security line timing, and interesting to learn the guide with us didnt know Spanish, so was unable to communicate with the official, however all was resolved. Immigrations was a nightmare, partially because 2 minutes before our flights took off, our tour group starting handing out numerous forms to fill out. In addition, many people didnt get the forms which made immigration process very slow. Overall on the first day, we ended up about 2 hours behind getting on the ship. That night, presumably because they had to rush to make up lost time, which captain confirmed, the boat was rolling back and forth all night long, making it impossible to sleep at all. If on lower levels it wasnt as bad, but everyone commented how horrible it was no matter where their cabin. Day 2: Snorkeling and visit to Smithsonian research center. Crew instructed if we went snorkeling that they would ensure someone picked us up in time to goto our scheduled tour times, so my wife and I split up and I went snorkeling. Snorkeling was absolutely terrible for what they classified as experienced, which means they took you out by boat and throw you into extremely rough water. Very high choppy waves. Many people got sick in and out of the water and didnt see much to comment on. In addition to conditions, no one came to meet us to transfer to our scheduled Smithsonian tour as mentioned. Overall, very poorly thought out and executed. Splash diving who ran the snorkel should have known, not to drop people in those water conditions for snorkeling. Location selection by Lindblad was horrible for what Belize offers. Very minimal marine life and coral reef compared to other places in Belize. Day 3: Slept in. Very bad decision as this was the day to see red footed boobies. Normally there are morning and afternoon sessions, but in this case, if you didnt go in morning, you were out of luck. In afternoon, there was opportunity to take a trip to beach to walk around but not at location where red foot boobies could be seen. Kayaking, paddle boarding and snorkeling were all canceled in afternoon due to weather conditions which was interesting as conditions were better than what they threw us into on Day 2. For something as significant as red footed boobies of belize, more time should have been allotted to experience this wonder, other than 4 hours of a 9 day trip. Day 4: Another wasted oppurtunity for lindblad. Early rise at 5:50am and a packed boxed breakfast to got cocksumb bay wildlife sanctuary to hear people.speak and basically see nothing. Very disappointing. Lunch was nice at Umaya Resort, with an open bar, but when I went to get food they said only 1 piece of chicken or beef per person, which for the prices paid for this trip I should be able to eat an entire cow every night if I want. Not sure how Lindblad is picking their destinations, but I am guessing it is where can we take masses of people vs really offering experiences. Belize is full of wildlife and if more thought is given to locations, I am certain their would be more to see vs just talking about. I know wildlife isnt guaranteed, but I have been to Galapagos, and Costa Rica, and Panama, and Hawaii, and Alaska, all on personally arranged private tours and saw abundance of wildlife everywhere, because I made that a goal and researched where to go. Obviously Lindblad and National Geographic at least for this itinerary, did not. People on the ship rave about Lindnlad and Nat Geo tours, but either they have not been immersed in a true experience, or just enjoy the being told information about stuff but not experiencing it. There was certainly plenty of information sharing by the naturalist about what is here, even though you didnt see it. After talking to many passengers, they confirmed it was the worst trip they have been on as well and they were disappointed. Day 5: Monkey River. Nothing to see. Another wasted location selection. Ranguana Caye. Poor research on location again. Island was not vetted and was being used by group of kids that had Feces in bathrooms smeared all over the place. Islands not vetted properly by nat geo and not setting standards of locations is unacceptable. Snorkeling again was terrible location compared to the best Belize has to offer. Day 6-9 Trip to Takil Mayan ruins was awesome, but that was 2-3 days of the total 9 days of which first week was worthless. I could have planned a better private trip for half the price and 1000% better experience. Hopefully Lindblad and Nat Geo will fix this itinerary and contact the people who they took advantage of with this cost and completly incompetent itinerary. I read other reviews that food onboard was not up to par, and I can say that isnt true. Food was excellent. Portions were extremely small, but you could ask for more and were never refused. Staff was very friendly. Cabins and ship were well kept. My negate review is solely based on the location selections. It is also worth noting that many of the naturalists were not local or familiar with the area. Read Less

We love whale watching and have a curiosity about the Sea of Cortez but have not been successful in attempts to explore it on our own. The itinerary fit our wishes even better than we knew to wish for. Our companions we most enjoyable and valued the same experiences we did. We both participated in and enjoyed the morning stretch class and we used the fitness center and found the masseuse to skillful. The food at every single mean was awesome with great variety and within a theme many and varied choices. We don't have dietary restrictions but we noticed those guests were alway accommodated. The land activities were top notch. Great variety and plenty of time for group and individual time. The equipment was great from the masks, fins, and snorkels to the Zodiacs, the paddle boards, the kayaks, the chairs onshore, the food and the beverages, the life vests. All amazing. Using local guides was a plus for us, especially Carlos Navarro onboard our cruise. Wow, he was knowledgeable in so many areas. We have no criticisms except the choice of LAX for the airport of embarkation. It is so big, confusing, and not nearly enough people to help with directions. Also, on the way to Loreto our gate was changed three times which was extremely difficult for many passengers and just plain annoying for us. Read Less

I was so excited to go on this trip of a lifetime to someplace that I had just read about and never dreamed I would ever see in person. My two daughters selected this excrusion to celebrate many lifetime events, so I was along for the ride. However, I was overwhelmed with the level of care that we received once we joined the team at Lindblad/Nat Geo. Every aspect of this trip was well planned. We could really relax and the biggest decisions of the day were chosing from a variety of fabulous activities geared to our level and interest. It was like we were on a trip with a college professor (really a park naturalist) to answer all of our questions and guide us to the most spectacular flora and fauna. The staff took excellent care of everyone on the ship and on land. The food was delicious and they happily accommadated our dietary requests. When we returned to Guayaquil there was a wonderful guide to take us through the beautiful Parque Historico and a beautiful hotel to rest in before our flight home. I was so impressed with Ecuador and their National Park system. With their guidelines, we were able to experience the best that nature had to offer in the Galapagos without the crowds. I would go back in a heartbeat. Read Less

Antarctica has been my dream for years. I researched every type of tour operator before deciding on National Geographic Orion. It is a small luxury ship, where they have the ability to get everyone off the ship for multiple daily excursions. There were a dozen naturalists aboard who gave daily lectures on everything from photography to killer whales. Every detail was thought out and implemented to create a truly one of a kind experience for every guest. For example, they had a hot beverage Zodiac cruising to serve guests while out on the water. Hot drinks awaited you when returning aboard. With a staff of over 60 for 102 guests, you never lacked for anything. I was amazed at how the staff remembered everyone’s names and preferences. The food was delicious and there was a vegetarian menu in addition to any special requests. The forward lounge for viewing was equipped with drinks, snacks, puzzles, books, binoculars, etc. Our guides had us spotting humpback whales, penguins, seals, killer whales, etc. We journeyed below the Antarctic Circle and visited bases. We cruised and kayaked through incredible ice. We really could not have imagined a better experience. Read Less

This was on my husband's bucket list, not mine. I was afraid of the Drake Passage and didn't really want to go. It turned out to be the best adventure of our lives! We started in Santiago, Chile with the pre-cruise wine tasting tour. This included a trip around Santiago the first day, three vineyards over the next two days, a lunch we cooked at one vineyard, and two gourmet dinners in Santiago. Matt was our guide for this part and he was absolutely wonderful, taking care of every detail and teaching all along the way. The Mandarin Oriental hotel was excellent with great views of the city. We flew to Ushuaia, Argentia the next day to begin the Antarctic part of expedition. The Drake Passage was quite rough and most passengers had some degree of seasickness, even with Scopolamine patches. Two days later, we crossed the Antarctic Circle and weather was amazing for the rest of our trip: blue skies, blue water, little wind, great birds, whales, seals and penguins. Each day there were at least two activities off the ship that included zodiac rides to see icebergs, seals and penguins up really close; hikes on glaciers, penguin rookeries, research stations and even an active Ukrainian research station. Amazingly, the ship would stop to see anything interesting and call all of to the observation decks. Our last day in Antarctic, the Orion turned around to follow a group of Orcas for over an hour. The entire naturalist staff was exceptional. Lectures were given between off ship activities, before and after dinner. They included photography, birds of the Antarctic, seals, whales, ozone research, geology, and penguins. Staff was always available to answer questions, share meals or cocktails with us, and help in anyway possible. We have even communicated with Josh after the trip, with whale questions. It was clear that these men and women had a passion for this work. The crew and staff and passengers were all involved, interested in everything and helpful in every way possible. I actually heard no complaint from anyone in the entire voyage. The return crossing of Drake Passage was almost smooth as glass - perfect ending to a perfect trip! Read Less

I have always wanted to visit Antarctica and chose National Geographic because of their outstanding reputation. Nat Geo exceeded my expectations and then some. I can't say enough about the total experience. Seeing Antarctica was like being on another world. There are not enough superlatives to describe the journey. The icebergs were magnificent, the penguins adorable, the whales were incredible. The Nat Geo naturalists, experts, divers, scientists and photographers informed us, challenged us and transmitted their love of nature and the Antarctic. The ship and it's crew were outstanding. The food was good and drinks were included. Internet was spotty but that was to be expected given out location. Besides, part of the experience was to be totally in the moment without contact with the daily cares. It was a relief to avoid news for the entire trip. The Drake Passage was not as intimidating as advertised. Every passenger onboard would say that minor seasickness was totally worth it. I urge everyone to go and experience this magical place. Read Less

We picked the NatGeo Explorer/Lindblad cruise to go to Antarctica because we figured we would get more than just a tour of Antarctica and it truly went above and beyond our expectations! The price tag was more than worth it and we couldn't recommend this trip more - our only regret was not going for a room with a full window instead of a porthole. Our expedition leader (Lucho) did an amazing job planning the whole trip and we were lucky enough to cross the Antarctic Circle! When we weren't out on Zodiacs, hiking, kayaking, or polar plunging the naturalists (Doug, Andy, Javier, Eric) and guest speaker (Ted Scampos) kept us busy with interesting lectures about the Antarctic animals, climate change, glaciology, and their own work/research. We also got great photography tips from a NatGeo photography (Andy Coleman) and Lindblad photo instructor (Nathan). The service and food on the ship was enough to make us want to travel with Lindblad again. The entire ship crew (Randy, Gabriel, Rosalie, Renato, and everyone) was incredibly friendly and accomodating. The whole operation was very smooth and even the Drake's Passage was surprisingly calm on the way back. The captain and crew were experts at navigating through the sea ice, getting us close to the animals, and answering all our questions about the ship (there is an open bridge policy that we all really took advantage of). The only bad experience during our whole time on the National Geographic Explorer was when we crossed the Drake's Passage on the way to Antarctica and our seasickness medication wore off. Luckily the ship's doctor had some better medication available onboard! Read Less

We traveled with Lindblad/National Geographic last year to the Galapagos and Machu Picchu and it was excellent, so we decided to take the Antarctic cruise. This trip was fantastic for many reasons. The ship was small enough (148 passengers) so it felt like a community or like minded adventurers. It was well maintained with spacious cabins. The crew from the hotel staff to the waiters and kitchen staff were friendly and very attentive. The Captain was friendly and welcoming to spend time with the crew on the Bridge and willing to answer our questions. Dinning was good, not great, but we weren't going for the food. The chef kept the menu interesting by having a daily theme offering cuisines from around the world, Entertainment consisted primarily of lectures by presented by the expert naturalists and global climate expert. Also there were presentation by the on-board whale and underwater researchers. It was truly like having a university at sea. And all were very friendly, approachable and ready to answer our questions. Also the Nat. Geo. photographer was a great help with helping us learn how to make the most of our cameras and take great wildlife and landscape photos. The activities included, shore excursions to penguin colonies and Antarctic research stations, glacier hikes, kayaking, wildlife spotting. On shore staff and excursions that were included were also great. They are very good at all the travel transfers and making sure everything goes smoothly. To be honest, one of the things that made this trip so fantastic was that we had very good weather. Just a bit rough crossing the Drake Passage on the way to the Antarctic Peninsula, but all very smooth after that. We are now thinking about our next trip with Nat. Geo./Lindblad. Read Less

I chose this cruise because the brochure promised extensive activities, lots of options and a lot of time in the water. NONE of these were the case. in seven days, we had a total of 2 and a half hours in which we were allowed to swim in the water. The rest off the time we were couped up on the ship except for time when groups of ten or more walked very, very, slowly looking bat the same birds, over and over and over again. The staff treated the guests as though we were under 9 or over 90 years old. There were more hours of "mandatory" lectures than there were snorkeling or swimming. There was zero flexibility in the staff. On the one day of shore leave -- allowed off the boat for a full day -- the guests were loaded onto buses and taken into damp, humid and dull highlands, even though the island had numerous public beaches and interesting shore sites that the guests could have enjoyed on their own. The entire philosophy of the staff seemed to be that individual requests should never be accommodated un Der any circumstances. The whole week was a nightmare and bore no relationship whatever to what was in the brochure or what the Lindblad staff told me when I called to confirm that the activities I was interested in would be amply available. If you want to go to the Galapagos, consider Celebrity Silver Seas. The associated travel arrangements made by Lindblad were inadequate. as well. (For example, we said we would pay for first class or, in the absence off first class, for seats with extra legroom. They got us seats with no extra legroom in a row whose seats did not recline. Right behind those was an empty exit row. We tried to change to that row at the airport, but were told it was too late and should have. been booked ahead of time.) The only positive I can muster about this cruise is that the cabins were comfortable and well maintained by the housekeeping staff. Read Less

We chose this adventure because of the reputation al National Geographic and their photographers. We were not disappointed. We were lucky enough to have Don Johansson on board to educate us on Darwin and the discovery of “Lucy”. What a treat! We were able to see all the wild life up close and personal and learn how to get really good shots. Every activity was planned to the tee and the scheduling and timing was on point. Unreal. The ship was delightful and the food was authentic and delicious with several “theme “ nights. The wait staff learned our favorites and were always ready to please! The staff was multi talented. Their knowledge of the area was unsurpassed and one night we were entertained by them with their entertainment and guitar skills! I’d you are lucky enough to have Salvatore on board please ask him to make the sound of a sea lion! If you hav ever had The Galápagos on your bucket list, this is the company to book with. A trip of a lifetime. Read Less

My travel bucket list had long included the Panama Canal, both for its continuing commercial importance but also because of its historic engineering importance. It was the chance to see the canal that directed me to this trip. We traversed the Canal at night, a pattern that I thought might be a disappointment; it was quite the opposite as the canal is well lighted and one can see the operations of the locks even in the middle of the night. A return trip by bus from the Caribbean side to the Pacific and Panama City gave us a view of the canal in daylight. Costa Rica was an added and special bonus and seeing the flora and fauna of the Pacific rain forests was everything that I could have anticipated. Particularly interesting were the special excursions to a gold mining operation, a sugar processing farm, and a marvelous botanical garden. For the "active" traveler, there were many options including kayaking, snorkeling and more. Taking the trip on a ship (National Geographic Quest) that provided the best small ship accommodations that I have experienced and reasonable accommodations for the solo traveler made this even more special. The meals on board had a variety of selections and even though the chef needs to do a better job of cooking the meats, the food was generally quite good and nutritious. While not, perhaps, my most memorable cruise, this will be high on the list of fond memories for this retiree. Read Less

We chose the cruise because we love adventure and seeing God’s creations. This was truly an amazing trip! Setting foot on Antarctica was so cool! I would recommend this trip to everyone. We loved the daily talked from the biologist and scientist on board. Also, the NGO photographers. The daily excursion to hike, watch whales, visit penguins, Count leopard seals were so much fun. I also loved that there was an emphasis on making a low impact on the environment. I actually came away with a desire to be more responsible regarding my impact on the environment. Also the trip contained no political agenda. It’s great to go with a group that didn’t talk about the current political mess in our country. Another great aspect was the scuba divers. Interesting to see what it looks like under the surface. Also, to hear how difficult it is to dive in very cold waters. Read Less

Our 10 days on this LEX/NG Explorer expedition was about as good as one can imagine. The ship is designed for both comfort and suitability for seafaring exploration in extreme environments. The sea level embarkation platforms and the way passengers are organized to go ashore or out on zodiac trips both contribute to smooth outings for all. The team of many scientists and naturalists on board give each passenger unlimited opportunities to learn the context of what we're seeing and experiencing (history, geology, geography, biology and ecology of the things all around us). They were all so friendly, enthusiastic and keen to impart that all to us! There is an open Bridge policy so we wandered in and out of the Bridge, encouraged to ask and learn about the instruments, navigation and strategies of choosing a course through well populated iceberg fields. The food was delicious, varied and available at convenient times, served by a truly epic corps of friendly and attentive crew. There were frequent briefings, lectures, daily roundups for our activities and casual gatherings in the lounge and bar. Having an emergency room doctor on staff was also very comforting. The passengers were diverse, international and from all age groups, concentrated in the just retired generation. There was an 11 month old baby and a family with two young teenage children. And one last word about the LEX/NG experience on shore, before and after the expedition. We had a very good bus tour of Buenos Aires before flying to Ushuaia, as well as a nice introduction to the culture, history and beautiful park in Ushuaia before and after the time at sea. Read Less

First and foremost, a trip with Lindblad always means perfection to me. Nothing is left to chance. And everyone connected with the trip is always stellar. I was not a fan of the decor on The Jahan but the cabin was roomy and the bed comfortable so I overlooked the decor for the most part. Most of us on ship thought that we needed more light in our cabins but honestly other than that, no complaints at all. Those who serviced our rooms did a wonderful job and we did love the little gifts left for us each evening with turn down service. Lots of opportunity to mingle with the other guests especially in the bar on the upper deck which was open to the outdoors. Our guides were wonderful. Sometimes I had to strain a bit to understand them but they were all well versed in the history of the area and always ready to answer any questions. Tom, our expedition leader, was attentive and generous with his time. The restaurant staff were wonderful. After one day, they each knew our preferences for beverages and food. I don't usually take many photos. I don't own a camera and use just my phone if I want to take a photo. On this trip, I think I took thousands of photos! Because there was so much to see that I knew I'd have to look back at the photos to make sure I hadn't missed anything. Shore excursions were enchanting especially sunrise at Ankgor Wat but actually all the temples and pagodas were special experiences for me. I found sitting on the upper deck as we floated along the Mekong to be relaxing and enlightening as we passed floating markets and villages. Listening to the call to prayer from the mosques dotted along the river was very special. Many of the sites in Vietnam and Cambodia were sobering but a good reminder of what life has been like for the people living here and what life was like for our soldiers. Would we go again? Absolutely. Everything about the trip was exceptional and met or exceed our expectations. My favorite experience was the opportunity to go into one of the homes built on stilts and to understand why the homes are on stilts. Read Less

I chose this cruise because I have traveled with NG/Lindblad before and wanted to see Costa Rica with this group of naturalists etc. The timing was right for my daughter and I to travel together. we were looking forward to seeing the wildlife primarily. Unfortunately, the brochure which specifically promotes seeing sloths in the wild was a total misrepresentation. I was told by the naturalists that sloths are not in the areas that we were visiting on this itinerary! A public relations move according to the staff, not accurate. We were also not going to see the Toucans, which were on the front of the brochure! Very disappointing. We did see some monkeys, iguana, birds, etc but one of the reasons we chose this itinerary was for the sloths specifically. The staff aboard and the naturalists were amazing, helpful and knowledgeable. The activities were geared to a cross section of interests and the naturalists on the hikes did a great job teaching us about the biodiversity of the region, Good communication by everyone. Dining area was clean and the staff was very accommodating. Food was average, nothing spectacular. Clean and quiet cabins with lovely fellow travelers. We did have one woman on the trip who had suffered a stroke a year prior which left her with a disability (right sided weakness.) She went on a difficult hike and had to be personally, PHYSICALLY assisted by the naturalist to manage the trail. This became an issue for the rest of the group as we were all slowing down to wait and assist, I even physically helped her to urinate on the side of the trail as she insisted it was an emergency.... She clearly did not have a realistic view of her physical limitations...and also went on the horseback riding excursion! Due to her disability this was very unsafe again, she ended up having to be removed from the horse and be "retrieved" by support staff coming out to our location and loading her in a vehicle. Again, this was a time consuming and concerning event for the rest of us. I suggest you devise someway to assess for the participators actual ability to participate as it effects the other paid travelers experience. Read Less

Go National Geographic/Linblad! While the unique ecosystem of the Galapagos exists for all, the ability to experience it to the fullest is not always the case. Each day we were offered three/four unique expeditions, and often two levels of the same expedition. So, while I snorkeled the deep waters the first day and hurt myself, my partner chose a 3 mile hike and I was able to be on a much shorter expedition. My stroll was awesome, informative, exciting and my partner felt the same way. Our ship had 7 Naturalists, Each was Fabulous always available, always enthusiastic, always caring. Access to the islands is limited by the park service. Nat-Geo/Linblad is an active supporter of the Darwin Foundation and is given priority on sites. Now wrap all this up in the comfort and SECURITY of being on a floating HOTEL. Did I mention the fabulous food, the head of the restaurant, who learned EVERYONE's name and food preferences? Throughout the cruise, EVERY PERSON went out of their way to make the experience the BEST and to enable each and every one of us to have full access and comfort. My travels are usually less expensive, however, I felt the security and knowledge this company offered was worth it. YES IT WAS! THANK YOU! Read Less

I accompanied a friend who had taken two previous Lindblad/National Geographic cruises. We both seek experiences that combine education with unique travel experiences that focus on wildlife viewing, This cruise struck that balance. The wild and remote Galapagos archipeligro is striking in its rugged beauty, and it is home to some of the most unusual birds, reptiles and other creatures of the sea and the land in the world... not to mention adorable sea lions that are not at all afraid of humans, providing amazing opportunities for photography. The ship was comfortable and the crew warm and knowledgeable, especially the naturalists, one of whom grew up on the islands. Everyday included hiking and a variety of other activities, including snorkeling, paddle boarding, and zodiac rides, as well excellent tips on nature photography. Evenings offered educational lectures with a wealth of information. The trip included two nights at the Hotel Del Parque, a lovely Relais & Chateau lodging in Guayaquil, Ecuador. This cruise was quite expensive, but it more than delivered. I highly recommend it and would travel with Lindblad/Nat Geo again. Read Less

The trip was seamless and excellent from start to finish. There were representatives at every embarkation and disembarkation points to help us on our way. The crew, staff, and guides onboard were friendly, courteous, and always willing to help with any situation. The food was great. Our cabin was very well appointed, the bed comfortable, the head facilities were very well appointed and included a hair drier and an outlet near the sink - very convenient. The staff tat looked after us was meticulous in making up the room each and every time we left for an excursion, so it was always nice to come back to a fresh room. Each outing went smoothly and exceeded our expectations. The guide were knowledgable about the geography and the wildlife and always willing to answer any questions. Including being well versed in the nature around us, most of the guides were also quite knowledgable about the best photographic techniques to use. This was the best adventure we have ever been on. Read Less

This was a trip of a life time. I have thought and planned the trip to Antarctica for years. Researching many options. National geographic/Lindblad was always my top choice. The ship, crew and staff were excellent. National Geographic staff gave presentations on history, wild life and photography. We had a variety of food prepared by an excellent chief. The dinning room had open seating so we sat with different people each meal. This was an expedition and the staff planned each day with many challenges. One of the stops was Brown Bluff a continental landing, When we arrived a group went on shore to set up. There were large pieces of ice that blocked access to the landing area and were told we would not be able to go on shore, This was rather disappointing. As we suited up to go out another announcement was made that some of the ice was moved and landing was possiable. Read Less

We had heard about this NGLindblad Galapagos expedition from friends who had done it a prior year. The whole experience exceeded our expectations (which were already high). Lindblad takes care of every detail, from being met at Miami Airport to final drop off in Guayaquil. Everyone on the ship was top notch- knowledgeable, professional, helpful. The naturalists were amazing , with their broad and deep knowledge of flora fauna, everything. And we saw SO MUCH! Communication was superb on the ship. We were informed about the various options for shoreside excursions and snorkeling, and what was needed to participate, including options for those who needed a different option (such as a shorter hike). The whole dining experience was wonderful. The food choices were plentiful and delicious. We especially appreciated the use of local products. We liked the casual atmosphere- no dressing up, and open seating so we could mix and mingle. Nametags were very helpful! Our cabin was just right and serviced at least 2-3 times a day. The ship was well organized. The whole experience was fantastic. We would choose Lindblad for our next "trip of a lifetime". Read Less

South Georgia and the Falklands are must see destinations for people interested in wildlife and polar regions. I've been to Antarctica and the Arctic more than once, loved all those trips, but South Georgia is in a class by itself, given the quantity and diversity of wildlife to be seen -- five species of penguins, many albatross, countless other species of birds, elephant seals, fur seals, just an amazing experience. The landscapes are jaw dropping as well, and we were lucky with the weather, having many sunny days. Be aware, though, that there are a lot of at sea days in often very rough water. I'd never been seasick in my life, but had the pleasure between Ushuaia and the Falklands.. The wonderful doctor on board sorted me out and I was on prophylactics during the rest of the crossings without problems, but if you're very subject to motion sickness, think twice about this itinerary. As to the expedition ship and staff, good overall, but I've experienced better with other companies, particularly Zegrahm. The ship's crew members were outstanding, a largely Filipino group who were universally friendly, helpful and attentive. My cabin attendant was first rate and I heard nothing but good comments from other passengers on that score. To varying degrees, the officers were visible and engaging and the open bridge is a wonderful element. Wait staff was generally very good. As to food, though billed as fine cuisine, it's not, entrees ranging from all right to truly awful -- dried out fish, uncooked lamb, surprisingly bad. There were some very good things as well, though. Baked goods were very nice and the soups excellent. In any case, you don't to expedition trips for fine food, but the pretense on this ship, given what's actually on offer, I found a bit annoying. Most expedition staff were friendly and informative, but presentations were of mixed quality, some excellent, some lamentably bad. This was a Nat Geo trip, so photography was a major preoccupation and it was cool hearing from photographers working at that level. They were willing to share ideas and help the amateurs making up most of the guests. Equipment was available for loan, which I thought was an nice gesture. Level of expertise is regards the wildlife, geography, history and so on was mixed. Bottom line, it was a great experience and I'd love to go back, but would likely choose a different expedition provider. Read Less

We wanted to see all the best Peru and Ecuador had to offer in one trip and this exceeded our expectations. The pre trip to the cloud forest of Mashpi was stunning, i will remember our fabulous guide Fernando and the tiny frogs and hummingbirds forever. Quito too was a lovely surprise, beautiful historic city. Cruise itself around Galapagos was perfect; busy with expeditions 2 - 3 times per day so we saw all the local wildlife. Then Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu...Wow Wow Wow!! The quality of the guides and the accomodation could not be surpassed, we had a very small group and Lourdes bought the whole history of the Incas alive for us. The Galapagos ship experience worked like clockwork and i am so pleased we went on larger ship as the seas were quite rocky at night as we travelled between islands. There were the inevitable occasions when you felt herded on the ship leg given roughly 90 passengers but it was worth it for the quality of everything else - cabin, food, staff all truely exceptional. if you want to be totally immersed in the best Of Peru and Ecuador you would be hard pressed to beat this. Read Less